Woolly thistle, Woolly-headed thistle
Cirsium eriophorum

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb. It is a medium sized thistle. It takes 2 years to complete its life-cycle. It grows 1.5 m high. The stems are unwinged. They are white and cottony. They are branched above. The leaves are divided into leaflets. There are long rigid spines. The leaves are white and cottony underneath. The flower heads are large. They are 25-50 mm across. They are reddish-purple. They usually occur singly. They are erect. The flower bracts have cobwebby hairs between them. The outer bracts curve backwards and have spines at their tips.

There are about 150-250 Cirsium species. They grow in temperate regions.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows in rough grassland and scrub.

Countries/locations it is found in

Belgium, Britain, Europe, France, Greece, Italy, Europe, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

The young leaves and shoots are eaten as a salad. The young stalks are peeled and soaked in water to remove the bitterness then eaten. They can be used in pies like rhubarb. The pulpy receptacles are eaten like artichoke.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, stem

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Volnatoglavi osat

Synonyms

Cirsium chatenieri; Cirsium vandasii; Cnicus eriophorus;